Railroad-tie.



PATENTED NOV. 3, 1903.-

A. G. WATERMAN.

RAILROAD TIE.

APPLICATION FILED AUG. 10, 1903.

110 MODEL.

Wifgees:

(Qua- 8A UNITED STATES Patented November 3, 1903.

ADOLPHUS C. WATERMAN, OF ATHENS, MICHIGAN.

RAILROAD-TIE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 742,936, dated November 3, 1903.

Application filed August 10, 1903. Serial No. 168,953. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, ADOLPHUS 0. WATER- MAN, a citizen of the United States, residing at the village of Athens, in the county of Calhoun and State of Michigan, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Railroad-Ties, of which the following is a'specification.

This invention relates to improvements in railroad-ties.

' It relates particularly to improvements in railroad-ties in which cement or artificial stone and metal are combined.

The objects of this invention are, first, to provide an improved railroad-tie in which artificial stone or concrete and metal are combined, which is comparatively light in weight and at the same time strong and durable; second, to provide an improved artificial stone or composition railroad-tie which is economical to produce and use; third, to provide an improved artificial stone or concrete railroad-tie in which the gage of the rails can be accurately adjusted; fourth, to provide, in an artificial stone or concrete railroad-tie,improved means for securing the rails thereto.

Further objects and objects relating to structural details will definitely appear from the detailed description to follow.

I accomplish the objects of my invention by the devices and means described in the following specification.

The invention is clearly defined and pointed out in the claims.

A structure embodying the features of my invention is clearly illustrated in the accompanying drawings,forming a part of this specifieation, in Which- Figure 1 is a plan view of my improved railroad-tie, portions of rails being shown in position thereon. Fig. 2 is a detail longitudinal sectional view taken on a line corresponding to line 2 2 of Fig. 1, portions being shown in full lines. Fig. 3 is a detail cross-sectional View taken on line 3 3 of Fig. 2. Fig. 4 is a detail longitudinal sectional view of a modified structure, taken on a line corresponding to line 2 2 of Fig. 1, the modifications being in the retaining-clips for the rails.

In the drawings the sectional views are taken looking in the direction of the little arrows at the ends of the section-lines, and similar letters of reference refer to similar parts throughout the several views.

Referring to the lettered parts of the drawconstruction.

My improved tie consists of a pair of blocks B of suitable composition, such as artificial stone or concrete, secured together by the tierods E. The rods E are united by the turn buckle E.. Embedded within the body of the blocks B are cables B, which are in the form of a loop and arranged in downwardly-curved arcs of a circle, as clearly appears in the drawings. This firmly binds the concrete together and greatly strengthens the same. The railbearing plates 0 are centrally arranged on the blocks B and are retained in position thereon by the bolts a, which are arranged through the blocks from the under side. These bolts a also assist in retaining the'rail-clips D in position. A pair of these clips are provided for each block and are adapted to be clamped down upon the base of the rails. The bolts a also serve to secure the connecting-rods E to the'blocks B and to the bearing-plates. In the modified structure shown in Fig. 4 the rail-clips D are provided with upwardly-projecting flanges D, adapted to engage the rail or the fish-plates, as illustrated. These clips are particularly desirable for use at the rail.- joint-s. The tie-rods E secure the blocks to each other and by means of the buckle E may be adjusted to secure .the proper gage of the rails. blocks are set or iamped.

The bearing-plates O are of such size that the rail is supported by a considerable portion of the surface of the block, so that the strain thereon is reduced to a minimum. Very little pulling strain is exerted on the-block,

as the tie-rods are secured to the bearingplates.

Thebearing-plates O are placed above the cables B, so that the stress is evenly distributed. The cable also binds the parts of the block so securely together that shouldthe same become fractured from any cause the parts will not separate, but are retained in position and still effectively support the bear ing-pla'tes.

In my improved tie the vibration of passing trains upon the same is reduced to a '55 ing, the rails A illustrated areof the usual In practice this is done before the minimum, as each block will seat and cushion itself in the road-bed independently of the others. Fractures are therefore not liable to occur from the uneven settling of the roadbed, as is the case in composition or stone ties of the usual construction.

My improved tie is also very convenient to lay, as its weight is very much less than that of the full-length tie, and the rails are readily secured in place thereon and the desired gage secured.

I have illustrated and described my improved tie in the form preferred by me on account of its economy in production and convenience in use. I am, however, aware that it is capable of considerable structural variation Without departing from my invention.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. In a railroad tie,-the' combination of blocks of concrete or the like; cables arranged in downwardly-curved arcs of a circle embedded therein; bearing-plates on said blocks; rail clips; bolts a arranged through said blocks, plates and clips for securing them together; bolts a for securing said clips to said bearing plates; connecting rods engaging said boltsa; and a turnbuckle for adjustably securing said rods together, all coacting for the purpose specified.

2. In a railroad tie, the combination of blocks of concrete or thelike; cables arranged in downwardly-curved arcs of a circle embedded therein; bearing-plates on said blocks; rail-clips; bolts arranged through said blocks, plates and clips for securing them together; connecting-rods engaging the bolts a; and a turnbuckle for adjustably securing said rods together, all coacting for the purpose specified.

3. In a railroadtie, the combination of blocks of concrete or the like; cables arranged in downwardly-curved arcs of a circle embedded therein; bearing plates on said blocks; rail -clips; bolts arranged through said blocks, plates and clips for securing them together; bolts a for securing said clips to said bearing-plates; and means for adj ustably securing said blocks together, all ooacting for the purpose specified.

4. In a railroad-tie, the combination of blocks of concrete or the like cables arranged in downwardly-curved arcs of a circle embedded therein; bearing plates on said blocks; rail clips; bolts arranged through said blocks, plates and clips for securin g them together; and means for adj ustably securing said blocks together, all coacting for the purpose specified.

5. In a railroad tie, the combination of blocks of concrete or the like; cables arranged in downwardly-curved arcs of a circle enlbedded therein; bearing plates on said blocks; rail-clips; bolts arranged through said blocks, plates and clips for securing them together; bolts a. for securing said clips to said bearing-plates; and means for securing said blocks together, all coacting for the purpose specified.

6. In a railroad tie, the combination of blocks of concrete or the like; cables arranged in downwardly-curved arcs of a circle embedded therein; bearing plates on said blocks; rail clips; bolts arranged through said blocks, plates and clips for securing them together; and means for securing said blocks together, all coacting for the purpose speci on said blocks; rail-clips; bolts arranged through said blocks, plates and clips for securing them together; connecting-rods engaging the bolts a; and a turnbuckle for adjustably securing said rods together, all coacting for the purpose specified.

9. In a railroad -tie, the combination of blocks of concrete or the like; bearing-plates on said blocks; rail clips; bolts arranged through said blocks, plates and clips for securing them together; bolts a for securing said clips to said bearing-plates; and means for securing 'said blocks together, all coacting for the purpose specified.

lO.-In a railroad-tie, the combination of blocks of concrete or the like; bearing-plates on said blocks; railclips; bolts arranged through said blocks, plates and clips for adjustably securing them together; and means for securing said blocks together, all coacting for the purpose specified.

11. In a railroad-tie, the combination of blocksof concrete or the like; bearing-plates on said blocks; rail-clips; bolts arranged through said blocks, plates, and clips for securing them together; bolts a. for securing said clips to said bearing-plates; and means for securing said blocks together, for the purpose specified.

In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal in the presence of two witnesses.

ADOLIHUS C. WATERMAN. [L. s]

Witnesses:

L. H. LOVE, ROBERT Ross.

IIO 

